Chapter 2 Battle of Rajamahendravaram, Dowleswaram Barrage - Part 1

Dhruva: The Warrior of the North Pole Star

The First Hero of Dharmicverse

Chapter 2: Battle of Rajamahendravaram, Dowleswaram Barrage - Part 1

Scene: The familiar, slightly weathered porch of Kmk's house in Chintalapalli village at morning . A simple wooden bench sits against the wall.

Kmk was hunched forward on the wooden bench, the morning sun casting long shadows across the porch. He stared at the dusty ground, a whirlwind of disbelief and burgeoning excitement churning within him.

Suddenly, a blur of motion caught his eye. Bhargava, his usually jovial face etched with a mixture of urgency and disbelief, came rushing towards the porch.

"Kmk!" Bhargava exclaimed, his voice slightly breathless. "What you said on the phone... was that the truth?"

Kmk looked up, a hint of the previous night's awe still lingering in his eyes. "Yes, Bhargava. It's true. But... we can't talk about it here." He glanced around the quiet street, a sense of unease prickling at him.

Bhargava's brow furrowed. "Then let's go to my house. My parents left for a relative's wedding. They won't be back until tomorrow." He gestured impatiently. "Come on!"

Scene shifts: The modest but well-kept house belonging to Bhargava. Across the narrow lane, visible through the open gate, stood Lakshmi's house. Kmk's gaze involuntarily drifted towards it, a familiar pang of longing hitting his chest.

Bhargava followed Kmk's gaze, a knowing look in his eyes. "Bro," he said softly, then more firmly, "Kmk! Enough now. Tell me. What you said on the phone... was it real?"

Kmk finally tore his eyes away from Lakshmi's house, turning to Bhargava. "Yes, last night I met ..."

"Met Dhruva?!" Bhargava interrupted, his voice incredulous. "The five-year-old from the Puranas? Don't joke with me, Kmk! Please don't tell me you've been fooled by some fantasy."

Kmk's voice held a newfound conviction. "I'm not lying, Bhargava! I saw him with my own eyes! And he told me... he will be my power source. I will have his powers. I will be... Warrior Dhruva."

He paused, trying to process the enormity of it himself. "And I will become a leader... of many warriors like me. He called us... the chosen ones! The dharmic warriors!"

Bhargava threw his hands up in disbelief. "How can you be so sure it wasn't just a dream, Kmk?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Kmk's face. "Because, Thanks to you and your idea to go to that new movie in Razole movie theater! After dropping you at your house, I ran out of petrol while going back home. My scooter died. And then... it happened that red blood moon and the shining star!" And when I opened my eyes again I was right at my house along with my scooter last night! 

He ran a hand through his hair, confusion clouding his features. "But I still don't understand why me? I'm just a normal nineteen-year-old, just like you and everyone else. Yes, I like puranic texts and holy books, and I like history, but... why me?"

Bhargava stepped closer, placing a hand on Kmk's shoulder. "Okay, bro, calm down." He looked intently into Kmk's eyes. "I believe you. You are totally different from other nineteen-year-olds, Kmk! But... are you sure you have the divine powers of Dhruva? If you do... let's go and find out how your powers work."

Just then, the front door of Lakshmi's house opened, and Lakshmi emerged with her boyfriend. They walked towards a waiting motorbike, her boyfriend a man who looked older, his jawline obscured by a thick, dark beard. A wave of anger and a sharp pang of sadness washed over Kmk as he watched them leave.

Bhargava noticed Kmk's sudden stillness and the darkening of his expression. "Kmk, they left."

Kmk turned back to Bhargava, his jaw tight.

"Why don't you just talk to her, bro?" Bhargava asked gently.

Kmk's voice was laced with frustration. "Talk to her? How? While he's around? That guy looks like he's thirty! With his goddamn ugly beard! Why is he practically living in her house?! And her parents... they don't say anything!"

Bhargava hesitated. "Well... they say he's Lakshmi's relative, Kmk. And I even heard... her parents are planning their marriage."

The words hit Kmk like a physical blow. His fist clenched, and he slammed it into the wall beside him, the impact echoing in the quiet morning. And the wall shattered 

"Kmk!" Bhargava exclaimed, concern etched on his face. "Calm down! I heard that from others... it might just be a rumor!"

Kmk took a shaky breath, trying to regain control. "That man... Okay. Let's just forget about it for now. Let's focus on this... powers testing thing! Where can we find a right place? Do you know anywhere?"

Bhargava scratched his head, thinking. "Hmm... maybe B. Savaram Road?"

Kmk scoffed. "Bro, those are all farmlands now! And there's a highway. Are you still thinking that can be a good idea?"

Bhargava's eyes lit up. "Wait! I know a ground! It's just a few meters away from B. Savaram Road. The ground at the Kotta Cheruvu! (New Pond)."

Scene shifts: A dusty, open ground near a newly constructed pond, Kotta Cheruvu. The air hummed with the sound of insects.

Bhargava gestured towards the open space. "Okay, bro. Try now. Try to use your power."

Kmk looked around uncertainly. "I really don't know how to do that! But... I'll try."

He closed his eyes, focusing inward, trying to recapture the strange energy he had felt the night before. A faint white and blue light began to emanate from his body, starting as a soft glow and gradually intensifying.

Bhargava gasped, stumbling backward and falling onto the dusty ground,shielding his eyes from the sudden brightness. The force of the energy radiating from Kmk pressed against him.

Just as suddenly as it began, the light flickered and died out. Kmk's eyes snapped open, and he looked at a stunned Bhargava.

"I... I really don't know how that happened!" Kmk said, bewildered.

Bhargava sat up, brushing dust off his clothes, his eyes wide with amazement. "Wow, bro! That's great! You do have power! But you need more focus... you need to tap into your full power!"

Kmk frowned, deep in thought. "Do you remember... how Dhruva got his powers and became the North Pole Star?"

"I know," Bhargava replied. "Because of Lord Vishnu!"

A spark of understanding lit up Kmk's eyes. "That means... only that one chanting can make it happen!"

Simultaneously, they both exclaimed, their voices filled with a mix of hope and anticipation:

Kmk: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!!"

Bhargava: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!!"

Kmk closed his eyes again, his lips moving silently at first, then chanting louder: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya!..."

The divine light returned, stronger this time, and a visible energy began to swirl around Kmk.

"Kmk! Your energy!" Bhargava exclaimed, his voice laced with awe and a hint of fear. "Try to control it!"

Kmk's feet began to lift off the ground. Bhargava's eyes widened in alarm, and he lunged forward, grabbing Kmk's legs.

"Stop it, Kmk!" Bhargava shouted, his knuckles white as he gripped Kmk's ankles.

"I... I don't know how to stop it!" Kmk replied, his voice strained as they both began to ascend rapidly into the sky.

"We're both going to dieee!!" Bhargava yelled, his voice echoing across the quiet fields.

With a sudden lurch, their uncontrolled ascent halted, and they plummeted back down, crashing into the muddy waters of the new pond with a loud splash.

Scene shifts: Kmk and Bhargava, soaking wet and covered in mud, emerged from the pond, sputtering and coughing.

"Enough!" Bhargava declared, water dripping from his hair. "No more testing for today!"

Kmk, however, had a determined glint in his eyes. "Once more, please!"

Scene shifts: Kmk, ignoring Bhargava's protests, closed his eyes again, chanting the sacred mantra with renewed focus. The familiar energy surged within him, and this time, he directed it intently into his outstretched hand. The energy coalesced, forming a glowing white and blue ball.

With a grunt, Kmk hurled the energy ball away from them. It shot through the air and collided with the open ground with a deafening BOOM! A shockwave rippled outwards, and a small cloud of dust and dirt erupted into the air.

"What in the name of Govinda was that?!" Bhargava shouted, his eyes wide with shock. "Kmk! A blast?!" He pointed towards the impact zone. "Don't you remember? These are farmlands! Because of these blasts and fire, everything might burn!"

Kmk grinned, a newfound excitement in his eyes. "Let me play, Bhargava! I just found out about some new ability!"

He created another energy ball, smaller this time, and threw it. But it veered off course, heading straight towards a patch of dry farmland.

"No! Stop! Wrong way!" Kmk shouted, extending his hand forward, focusing intently on the errant energy ball. Suddenly, the ball of energy froze in mid-air. Both Kmk and Bhargava stared in stunned silence.

Slowly, Kmk moved his finger, and the energy ball followed the movement, hovering and dancing in the air. With a final flick of his wrist and a snap of his fingers, the energy ball dissipated into a cloud of shimmering water vapor.

"Bhargava! Did you see that?!" Kmk exclaimed, his voice filled with exhilaration.

Bhargava could only stammer, "I... Yes. Yes, I did. But enough! Let's go back to my house now!"

Scene shifts: Deep space. Against the backdrop of distant stars, a vast armada arrived. Thirty thousand Asura warriors, clad in dark armor and riding in menacing Vimanas and flying war chariots, emerged from a swirling portal. Leading them were five formidable figures.

Mahasura, his voice a booming growl that echoed across the void, surveyed the distant blue planet. "Finally! We have arrived... Prithvi! Or should we say... Earth!"

To be continued in Part 2 of Chapter 2, maybe in a few hours or few days!